Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Woodlyn PA

How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Woodlyn Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Woodlyn PA beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Woodlyn PA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Woodlyn residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Woodlyn PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Woodlyn PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Woodlyn PA hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Woodlyn PA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Woodlyn PA Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Woodlyn PA students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools

Questions to ask Woodlyn PA beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Woodlyn PA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 19094 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Woodlyn PA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Woodlyn PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Woodlyn PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Woodlyn PA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Woodlyn PA?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Woodlyn PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Woodlyn, Pennsylvania

Woodlyn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 9,485 at the 2010 census,[1] down from 10,036 at the 2000 census. It is a part of Ridley Township, and children residing within the community generally attend schools in the Ridley School District. Woodlyn is served by the Woodlyn Fire Co. for fire, rescue and EMS services.

Woodlyn is located in the western part of Ridley Township. It is bordered to the northeast by the Folsom part of Ridley Township, to the east by the borough of Ridley Park, to the south by the borough of Eddystone, to the southwest by the city of Chester, to the west by Nether Providence Township, and to the north by Springfield Township and the borough of Swarthmore. Interstate 476 (the Blue Route) and Interstate 95 intersect in the southern part of Woodlyn. Center City, Philadelphia, is 14 miles (23 km) to the northeast via I-95.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,036 people, 3,960 households, and 2,637 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6,100.8 people per square mile (2,348.4/km²). There were 4,132 housing units at an average density of 2,511.8/sq mi (966.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.88% White, 9.15% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.18% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38% of the population.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Woodlyn PA

Woodlyn PA barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Woodlyn PA.